We are near the end of the first month of the year and, surprisingly, we have already seen the birth of over a thousand new books into the world. Good Reads has already published the most popular books published in January 2018.
Meaning, it's time for you to start planning how are you going to accomplish that "publishing a book" goal you've set for yourself. Here are a few tips to help you tick it off your New Years's resolution list, once and for all.
SET A DEADLINE
Yeah, let's jump right into the pool, shall we? Research shows that people who write down their goals are more likely to achieve them. It will not only help you to visualize the dream, but it will also function as a motivator. Especially, if you are approaching the date settled and you're still stuck on chapter 23.
STOP TRYING TO WRITE THE PERFECT FIRST DRAFT
You will find that writing your story down from beginning to end will be far more useful than staring at a blank page just because you are still struggling to put down the perfect opening sentence. You first need to create your first shitty draft, so you are able to turn it into a still-kinda-shitty second draft, until to shape it into the final draft.
KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE
And nourish yourself from other authors. Sometimes you might feel like you can't pass the first chapter, and it's not because you lack ideas, but because you fail to see what your readers' are, well, reading. Submerge yourself in the books your potential audience is reading, and try to find a pattern between them. Then, take a look at where you are standing and rearrange your story accordingly. Keeping it an original work, obviously.
DOWNLOAD A WRITING APP IN YOUR PHONE
Trust me; there are going to be mornings when you will feel like you are stuck, only to be flooded with great ideas by midnight when you are about to drift into a deep sleep. Don't convince yourself that you will remember them, because we both know you won't, and that's when these apps come in handy.
Personally, I use the good old Notes app because I love the idea of being able to prompt myself with dialogue or a scene, only to develop it further on my computer later. And then proof-read it on my iPad for possible development.
Pages, Evernote, Werdsmith, Bear, there's a wide range of options, so pick the one that works better for you
TAKE YOURSELF ON A DATE
Okay, I know how weird this sounds but hear me out. Here's the thing, saying you'll write a book? Easy, peasy. Actually writing the book? Not so much.
Life is full of distractions; if it's not your job, it's your kids, or your overly attached pets that love to cuddle with you. My advice? Take yourself on a writing date. Make an appointment in your calendar to head to your local coffee shop and write freely without distractions. You'll be amazed by how easily the words will get out.
Writing a book, whether it's your first or not, is a time-consuming project that demands creative energy that you might feel like you lack of. But you do have it in you. And before you know it, you'll be near the end, finishing your book and having a headache trying to get it published.
But it will be worth it. And I'll probably be there to review it.
